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Claims  |
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I claim:
1. A portable audio information storage/playback apparatus, comprising:
a data interface;
a microprocessor, wherein said microprocessor operates in response to user
operation of said keypad to select audio program material; receive said
program material via automatic download for storage in a storage medium;
and playback said program material when and where the user desires; and
said storage medium controlled by said microprocessor and on which audio
programming received via said data interface may be recorded digitally in
a faster than real time format and from which said audio programming may
be retrieved for reproduction in a real time format, where such audio
programming is provided in the form of digitized, compressed data files;
and
an audio output and conditioning module for reproducing said retrieved
audio programming in real time.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a storage device for storing said received audio programming;
a modem for connection to a data base via an on-line service from which
said audio programming is obtained on a subscription or on-demand basis;
a keypad for effecting control of said apparatus in any of one or more
modes of operation; and
a display for visually indicating current apparatus mode of operation.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:
a built in telco modem for establishing a direct connection to a
telco-based order entry system that accepts previously entered user
requests from said keypad that are stored in said memory.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, said data interface further comprising:
an input data buffer, wherein said data interface is adapted for connected
to any one or more of a plurality of data sources, including an ISDN
telephone line, a digital satellite broadcast system, a two-way
interactive television cable, and an Internet or other data source as may
be supplied over standard telephones services.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said microprocessor implements a
plurality of communications protocols, such that said protocols are
accessed as appropriate for establishing a data exchange between said
apparatus and any one or more of a plurality of said data sources.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said input data buffer is a
PCMCIA-type format card that includes either or both of said data
interface and a telco modem.
7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said input data buffer further
comprises:
an RF receiver/demodulator, either hardwired or in a PCMCIA-type format,
for wireless communication for either or both of program ordering and
program reception.
8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said input data buffer further
comprises:
an audio input/digitizer circuit for digitizing live audio and then storing
it.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said microprocessor controls storage
and data retrieval functions, provides communications interface control to
a high speed sending data source, provides communications interface
control to a bi-directional low speed source, supervises order entry
functions and order placement, and controls digital to audio conversion
functions for playing back an audio program stored in a data file.
10. A portable audio information storage/playback apparatus, for use in a
system for distributing subscription and on-demand audio programming, that
includes a library containing a plurality of audio program materials
stored in a digital format; a program selection module that allows a
subscriber to request program materials contained within said library; an
information request manager that selects program materials chosen by said
subscriber from said library and that forwards said selected program
material to a data transmission system for distribution to the subscriber
at rates faster than real time, the apparatus comprising:
a data interface;
a microprocessor, wherein said microprocessor controls said apparatus to
accept digital data according to pre-arranged formats with regard to both
data structure and physical interface; controls the storing process in a
storage device; responds to commands initiated from said keypad to execute
selected functions, including at least one of playback of audio
programming that has been stored in a digital format in a file, and
entering of catalog numbers of programs to be ordered; and responds to
specialized commands for reconfiguration of operating modes, according to
a pre-arranged series of user options;
said storage device controlled by said microprocessor and on which audio
programming received via said data interface may be recorded digitally in
a faster than real time format and from which said audio programming may
be retrieved for reproduction in a real time format, where such audio
programming is provided in the form of digitized, compressed data files;
an audio output and conditioning module for reproducing said retrieved
audio programming in real time;
means for connection to said library via an on-line service from which said
audio programming is obtained on a subscription or on-demand basis;
a keypad for effecting control of said apparatus in any of one or more
modes of operation; and
a display for visually indicating current apparatus mode of operation.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said apparatus may be operated in
any of:
a user setup mode, in which a user can:
configure the apparatus to follow selected canonical paths through a
built-in menu system;
execute immediate jump-to commands;
configure the apparatus for desired communications access; and
enter a personal user profile of automated features;
an order entry mode, in which a user can:
make a selection for a next download of program material;
set a profile of features for the system; and/or
navigate through said order entry mode, as displayed on said display, using
a select key;
pause and thereafter resume operation of the apparatus by pressing a
pause/resume button;
an information order/select mode, in which a user can:
browse selectively through various program categories and then through
program files within each category by reading descriptions for both the
categories and the titles in a display and/or by listening to the
descriptions, as the descriptions are converted to audio information that
is suitable for conveyance to an audio system;
a first transaction mode, in which a user can:
perform automatic order placement by telco modem when said apparatus is
mated to an associated docking station that includes a high speed modem
for receipt of data, a power supply, a connection to a data source, and
optionally a low speed modem for access to an order entry system via a
telephone system;
a second transaction mode, in which a user can:
automatically receive desired program material via automatic connection to
a high speed data modem, which in turn is automatically connected to a
broadcasting host computer, wherein said high speed modem is contained in
a docking station that physically accepts the apparatus and makes
electrical connections thereto that are suitable for receiving high speed
data and for sending order entry information via a telco modem or a
wireless radio modem; and
a transport mode, in which a user can:
set said apparatus with a select/play button to display a number of user
activated controls, such as playback, pause/bookmark, stop, fast forward,
fast rewind, and resume.
12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said microprocessor is operable to
in response to a user to create an intelligent agent that automatically
services the user's order and retrieval needs.
13. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:
a multiple position control switch for navigating through a hierarchical or
otherwise organized database of program material, and wherein said control
switch may also be used to make a program material selection.
14. The apparatus of claim 10, said microprocessor further comprising:
a control algorithm for establishing connection to an order entry host with
prescribed information exchange protocols for automatic entry of programs
to be downloaded to a particular customer's system, wherein automatic
receipt of acknowledgment is provided by said host to verify that
apparatus is authorized to receive the programs ordered, and wherein order
entry and acknowledgment preferably includes an appropriate time dependent
encryption/decryption keys.
15. The apparatus of claim 10, said data interface further comprising:
a wireless modem, wherein program materials are delivered directly to said
apparatus.
16. The apparatus of claim 10, said data interface further comprising:
a high speed data demodulator for receiving desired program material from
plurality of data sources, said high speed data demodulator being adapted
for connection to a cable television distribution cable, wherein said high
speed data demodulator operates in a signaling system in which data to be
transmitted are converted to a multilevel signal set, in which a plurality
of voltage levels are used to create a series of symbols, each symbol
corresponding to a particular pattern of data bits, and which set is
inserted into a standard NTSC/PAL/SECAM video composite signal, wherein
said demodulator recovers the data from the series of symbols transmitted
as video, and then delivers the data via a communications interface to
said data buffer.
17. A portable audio information storage/playback apparatus, for use in a
system for distributing subscription and on-demand audio programming, that
includes a library containing a plurality of audio program materials
stored in a digital format; a program selection module that allows a
subscriber to request program materials contained within said library; an
information request manager that selects program materials chosen by said
subscriber from said library and that forwards said selected program
material to a data transmission system for distribution to the subscriber
at rates faster than real time, the apparatus comprising:
a data interface;
a microprocessor for supervising control of said apparatus to establish a
connection via a selected communication path to a host computer system
that broadcasts audio program material in form of digital data files as
part of an overall transmission of a catalog of available programs, to
associate program files in a broadcast data stream with identification
tags by means of a header field that is attached to a beginning of each
data file, said identification tags matching those programs selected by a
user to allow transmission of program material to the user if a suitable
enabling acknowledgment is received, wherein transfer of the selected
files is enabled and, upon receipt by the apparatus, the files are stored;
a storage device controlled by said microprocessor and on which audio
programming received via said data interface may be recorded digitally in
a faster than real time format and from which said audio programming may
be retrieved for reproduction in a real time format, where such audio
programming is provided in the form of digitized, compressed data files;
an audio output and conditioning module for reproducing said retrieved
audio programming in real time;
means for connection to said library via an on-line service from which said
audio programming is obtained on a subscription or on-demand basis;
a keypad for effecting control of said apparatus in any of one or more
modes of operation; and
a display for visually indicating current apparatus mode of operation.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said microprocessor implements a
control algorithm that supervises conversion of stored program material
files from a highly compressed data format to audio via said audio output
and conditioning module, wherein said algorithm may also include a
decryption capability to decrypt and/or decompress the program material
files, if the files are encrypted/compressed, wherein said program
material files may optionally be sent as compressed text files that are
converted to audio by the apparatus using a text to speech algorithm. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The invention relates to the distribution of subscription and on-demand
audio program material. More particularly, the invention relates to high
speed recording of audio program material from a remote source on a
subscription and/or on-demand basis using a portable high capacity audio
recording and playback device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Although much neglected by the public and the press in connection with the
current fascination with pay-for-view movies, video-on-demand, and other
multimedia services, sound remains the most compelling and informative
element in any form of interpersonal or electronic communication. To
understand this concept better, consider a television network news
broadcast. If the picture portion of the broadcast is lost, one is still
able to receive most of the content of the broadcast. However, if the
audio portion of the broadcast is lost, one receives almost none of the
content of the broadcast.
Radio was the most highly successful entertainment medium until sound
motion pictures and television added the visual element to entertainment
programming. The state of radio today is such that it provides a source of
music, as well as talk and news, especially for those environments that
require some level of visual concentration, such as operating a vehicle or
machinery, or working in an office. Thus, radio has been pushed into the
background as an ancillary form of entertainment.
One can listen to a radio and hear whatever is being broadcast at the time;
or one can record a desired piece of music or other program as it is
broadcast, and listen to the recording later, for example on an automobile
cassette player. One can also transport prerecorded audio program
materials, such as tapes and compact disks, and listen to them in the car
or on a portable playback device, such as a Walkman.RTM.. Prerecorded
audio programming that is available includes music, books on tape, and
various educational and entertainment materials.
All known audio program delivery methods have been generally accepted by
the public, but they are somewhat limited in their appeal because they are
time-consuming to prepare, for example making a recording for later use is
time consuming because the recording must be made in real time. They are
expensive, for example a compact disk containing a musical performance or
a book on tape may only be listened to once or twice, although the full
purchase price must be paid for such materials. And they do not offer the
variety of program material that is either now available from television
cable services, or that is available from other media, such as print
media, for example the New York Times or the Wall St. Journal.
There are other significant limitations inherent in an off-the-air
recording system that include a lack of control of the choice of program
material, and the time at which the subscriber can listen to this
material. In current radio broadcast systems, the program material is
broadcast when the station manager thinks it best. Such real time
distribution requires that interested listeners tune in at the designated
time, assuming that the station is willing or able to publicize its
broadcast schedule in advance of the broadcast. Even so, a listener must
typically endure several annoying interruptions for commercial messages,
even if listening to the so-called public radio stations. Prerecorded
materials are packaged by the manufacturer and must be used in the format
provided, i.e. all of the materials must be listened to in the order they
were recorded. Otherwise, the consumer must rerecord the prerecorded
materials to edit the content and/or order of the materials, as well as
adding other materials that were not included by the manufacturer f the
prerecorded programming. As discussed above, the recording process is time
consuming, requires a certain level of patience and skill, and is a
significant barrier to use for the typical listener.
Thus, those persons listening to a broadcast while in their automobiles
have less control because they cannot time shift a program by recording
the program, although they may nevertheless want to listen to certain
programs while traveling. Additionally, those persons listening in the
automobiles may want to listen to program material that is not normally
available on a public broadcast channel. While those persons listening in
their automobiles may listen to recordings that they have purchased or
recorded themselves when the program material was originally broadcast,
the mobile listener cannot take control of the program selection process
and the time at which the program is heard, nor can such materials be
combined or edited without a significant commitment of the listener's time
to assembling the desired materials, or portions of the desired materials,
in the desired order.
The most limiting factor in the expansion of audio related news and
entertainment services is probably the lack of program material having the
form and content desired by the subscriber, coupled with the lack of a
modern customer order and distribution system for such materials for
conveniently delivering the program materials in the desired format.
The video-on-demand industry is just evolving. However, the video-on-demand
industry has a fundamentally different focus than that of radio or other
audio-based program delivery services, i.e. to duplicate a theater-like
experience in the viewers home, not offer a commuter or other mobile
listener an audio-on-demand or subscription service. The state of the art
is therefore concerned with providing video services, not with informing a
busy commuter during otherwise idle time spent in an automobile traveling
to and from work.
For example, H. Brudner, Computer-Assisted Instruction Via Video Telephone,
U.S. Pat. No. 3,654,708 (May 26, 1969) discloses a teaching system that
uses a video telephone as a terminal. The video telephone is tied into a
computer and information is fed into the video telephone, while other
information is returned to the computer. A video tape recorder, containing
a central bank of pre-recorded reels of video tape, is connected to the
central processing unit of the computer and the video telephone, such that
pictorial representations, as distinguished from the alpha-numerical
representations, appear on the screen of the video telephone, enabling
interaction with the student. The central bank of pre-recorded reels of
video tape is connected to a buffer unit so that selected tape reels can
be transfer recorded material into the buffer unit, where it is played
back to the student selecting such tape. In this manner, the pre-recorded
reels of video tape in the central bank are available almost
simultaneously to a large number of students at different terminal units
in the teaching system.
See, also, the following:
C. Coddington, J. Gold, D. Klika, D. Konkle, L. Litteral, J. McHenry, A.
Richard III, PSTN Architecture For Video-On-Demand Services, U.S. Pat. No.
5,247,347 (Sep. 27, 1991), which discloses a public switched telephone
network (PSTN) that provides digital video signals from a video
information provider to one or more of a plurality of subscriber premises.
A subscriber uses either a standard telephone instrument over the PSTN or
a dedicated control device over an ISDN packet network to order video
programming. The request is transmitted to a designated video information
provider and digital transmission connectivity is established between the
video information provider and the central office serving the subscriber.
Connectivity between the central office and subscriber is provided by
asymmetrical digital subscriber line interface units over a local loop.
The interface units frequency multiplex digital video information with
voice information to the subscriber and support transmission of a reverse
control channel from the subscriber to the central office for transmission
on the ISDN packet data network back to the video information provider.
The interfaces also allow base band signaling and audio between the
central office and the subscriber for conventional telephone instrument
connectivity;
J. Fischer, K. McCalley, S. Wilson, Interactive Multimedia Presentation And
Communications System, U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,410 (Mar. 2, 1993), which
discloses a system for interactively and selectively communicating
particular multimedia presentations to each of a plurality of subscribers
along a CATV cable network. The subscriber communicates his selections,
both for viewing particular presentations from a menu and for transactions
with respect to the information and products being viewed, by entering
codes on his Touch-Tone telephone pad. Subscriber input signals are
communicated as digital signals through the intercommunications network
and response signals are generated, ultimately as analog TV signals for
viewing by the subscriber;
D. Rhoades, Telephone Access Information Service Distribution System, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,181,107 (Jan. 19, 1993), which discloses a digital, interactive
communication system designed to provide a plurality of remote subscribers
with any one of a variety of stored information service software packages
through the use of a home computing assembly maintained within the
subscriber's home and structured to display video as well as generating
audio on a standard television receiver. A bi-directional communication
link is established over telephone lines between the home computing
assembly and a central remote information storage center so that a
selected one of the variety of information services is transmitted as a
modulated carrier to the subscriber. Information service selection is
controlled by a remote information storage center executive software
program. Automatic billing is performed by computing equipment maintained
in the remote information storage center and transmitted to a headquarters
which also receives diagnostic messages associated with the remote
information center and/or the associated plurality of home computing
elements; and
D. Rhoades, Telephone Access Video Game Distribution Center, U.S. Pat. No.
5,051,822 (Sep. 24, 1991), which discloses a digital, interactive
communication system that is designed to provide a plurality of remote
subscribers with any one of a plurality of stored video games or like
software packages through the use of a home computing assembly maintained
within the subscriber's home. The assembly is structured to display video
as well as generating audio on a standard television receiver, and further
incorporates the ability to use contemporary video gaming control devices
for subscriber program interaction. A bi-directional communication link is
established over the telephone lines between the home computing assembly
and the central remote game storage center wherein the software programs
are transmitted as a modulated carrier to the subscriber. Program
selection is controlled by a remote game storage center executive software
program. Automatic billing is performed by computing equipment maintained
in the remote game storage center and transmitted to a headquarters which
also receives diagnostic messages associated with the remote game center
and/or the associated plurality of home computing elements.
And, also Pocock et al, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,734,764 and 5,014,125 (a system
for conveying still frame video with overlaid graphics and audio to a CATV
channel during the vertical blanking interval of a television signal,
including subscriber control and selection of display material via
operation of a touch tone pad on a telephone); McCalley et al, U.S. Pat.
No. 4,829,372 (packet transmission of digital information to a subscriber
via a dedicated line/converter); Abraham, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,567,512 and
4,590,516 (telephone subscriber request and scheduling system); Harrison,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,584,603 (closed environment entertainment system including
subscriber selection and control of program material); Bessler et al, U.S.
Pat. No. 4,755,872 (pay for view system for use with cable system having
one way addressable converters); Clark et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,684
(telephone selection of video programming for cable television system);
Gordon et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,191 (telephone selection of video
programming for cable television system); Monslow et al, U.S. Pat. No.
4,995,078 (telephone scheduling of real time video broadcast over a
dedicated cable system); Lambert, U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,522 (telephone
selection of video programming for viewing on a cable television system in
which a directory channel displays program selections and schedules);
Goodman et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,399 (video transmission and control
over residential phone lines); and Kleinermann, U.S. Pat. No. 4,849,811
(simultaneous transmission of audio and image frames over standard
telephone lines).
Form factor of an audio on demand apparatus may probably be even more
critical to the development of such an audio information distribution
system than the information content provided or the pricing of such
content because the success of such system depends entirely upon consumer
acceptance, and consumer acceptance is tied closely to perceived utility
and ease of use of the device that captures, stores, and reproduces the
audio information. The device must be unobtrusive and easy to operate, yet
sophisticated enough that subscribers to an audio on demand service can
easily obtain and listen to desired programming. Because most people do
not want to learn to program a VCR, the device must therefore be
significantly easier to operate than a VCR. In fact, the device should
ideally be no more difficult to use than a CD player. The device must also
be able to store significant quantities of digital data and to convert
such data to audio information.
The state of the art provides an interesting starting point for the design
of a data storage device that may be useful for audio-on-demand services.
For example, a PCMCIA card is a well defined format for a package having a
connector, and that provides a way of packaging an electronic device or
devices, where the package size is 75 mm long, 50 mm wide and anywhere
from 31/2 to 71/2 to 101/2 mm high. A PCMCIA card that contains a solid
state or disk drive memory provides, in effect, a storage component having
a particular package configuration.
Smart cards are typically used for debiting credit card accounts, and
typically includes a memory, microprocessor, and data I/O.
A minidisk system offered by Sony Corporation of Japan permits recording
and playback of any audio material on a 2-inch plastic disk that employs a
dye laser approach to creating a miniature CD, using the same techniques
as are used by CD manufacturers, and uses identical modulation and coding
formats as are used by CD manufacturers. On the minidisk system,
information is stored in real time and played back in real time. The
system does not use data compression. Rather, it offers a straightforward
approach to providing the highest possible fidelity for audio.
While video distribution systems are being developed and the
video-on-demand industry proceeds apace, there is little or no effort
going into delivering audio programming, even though many people spend two
or more hours a day in their automobiles. Key to the success of audio on
demand is consumer acceptance of the delivery and playback system. If such
system is not transparent to the consumer, yet powerful enough to be fully
featured, then consumers are likely to find the system too burdensome to
use. Accordingly, an improved, easy to use audio program distribution
system would find ready acceptance by the public.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a device that is in part a digital replacement for
an analog audio tape recorder. The device can record audio programming
digitally and can play back audio programming, where such programming has
been digitized and stored in data files using a variety of
compression/decompression algorithms. Audio programming is stored
digitally on a non-volatile medium, such as a hard drive, or in a flash
EPROM, or other solid state non-volatile memory.
In contrast to such digital audio systems as Digital Audio Tape (DAT), the
device herein uses a different storage medium, provides random access
search ability, and stores information in accordance with various data
compression algorithms. It contrast to such writeable audio storage
devices as the Sony recordable mini-CD, the device herein uses a different
storage medium, such as a hard drive, has intentionally limited audio
bandwidth, i.e. it does not provide stereo full fidelity, and includes a
novel integrated data communications protocol and data exchange port,
including a modem, for automatic program material acquisition.
The invention provides two methods for a person using the device to obtain
program material:
Through a digital data storage cartridge, which is the digital equivalent
of a tape cassette, and in one preferred embodiment of the invention is a
removable cartridge;
Through an electronic data transfer from a variety of sources such as a
cable TV broadcasting system having an appropriate data transmission
system.
The device uniquely combines the remote data access capability resident in
a personal computer with a set of tailored, streamlined control functions
to simplify, automate, and render seamless the process of selecting audio
program material; ordering the program material from a service; receiving
acknowledgment of the order and receiving the program material via
automatic download for storage in a hard drive; playback of the program
material when and where the user desires, with fully streamlined control
functions; and control of the user interface functionality on the keyboard
through a setup mode of operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block level schematic diagram of a subscription/on-demand
information delivery system according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a block level schematic diagram of a portable storage/playback
apparatus having a universal data interface according to the invention;
FIG. 3 is an illustration of the portable storage/playback apparatus,
showing an initial mode of operation according to the invention;
FIG. 4 is an illustration of the portable storage/playback apparatus,
showing an information order/select mode of operation according to the
invention; and
FIG. 5 is an illustration of the portable storage/playback apparatus,
showing a transport mode of operation according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In its broadest application, the invention provides a device that is a
digital replacement for an analog audio tape recorder. The device is able
to record audio programming digitally and play back audio programming that
has been digitized, where such audio information is stored in data files
using a variety of known compression/decompression algorithms. Audio
programming is stored digitally on a non-volatile medium, such as a hard
drive, or in a flash EPROM, or other solid state non-volatile memory.
In contrast to such digital audio systems as Digital Audio Tape (DAT), the
device herein uses a different storage medium, provides random access
search ability, and stores information in accordance with various data
compression algorithms. It contrast to such writeable audio storage
devices as the Sony recordable mini-CD, the device herein uses a different
storage medium, such as a hard drive, has intentionally limited audio
bandwidth, i.e. it does not provide stereo full fidelity, and includes a
novel integrated data communications protocol and data exchange port,
including a modem, for automatic program material acquisition.
The invention provides two methods for a person using the device to obtain
program material:
Through a digital data storage cartridge, which is the digital equivalent
of a tape cassette, and in one preferred embodiment of the invention is a
removable cartridge;
Through an electronic data transfer from a variety of sources such as a
cable TV broadcasting system having an appropriate data transmission
system.
Other alternative embodiments of the invention allow one using the device
to obtain program material through a digital direct broadcasting satellite
system, such as is offered by DirecTV, a high speed data transmission
service over telephone lines using the ISDN data capability known as 2B1Q,
and lower speed connections via ordinary telco modems to Internet-served
databases. It is anticipated that one may also take advantage of higher
speed successor technology that should become available as part of video
on demand services from such vendors as telephone companies and cable
television companies. Finally, it is expected that reception from a
wireless system based on direct broadcast terrestrial links is likely when
AM/FM radio signals are transmitted in a digital format, and as other high
speed communication links become available, such as the Personal
Communications Systems/Networks recently authorized by the FCC.
The device herein disclosed is similar to a dedicated personal computer,
complete with a hard drive, modem for connection to a data base via an
on-line service, keyboard, video display, and audio system. However, the
device uniquely combines the remote data access capability resident in a
personal computer with a set of tailored, streamlined control functions to
simplify, automate, and render seamless the process of:
Selecting audio program material;
Ordering the program material from a service;
Receiving acknowledgment of the order and receiving the program material
via automatic download for storage in a hard drive;
Playback of the program material when and where the user desires, with
fully streamlined control functions; and
Control of the user interface functionality on the keyboard through a setup
mode of operation.
FIG. 1 is a block level schematic diagram of a subscription/on-demand
information delivery system according to the invention. Such system is
disclosed in part in the following copending patent applications, both of
which are commonly assigned to Information Highway Media Corporation, the
assignee of the present application, and both of which are fully
incorporated herein by reference: N. Schulhof, J. Janky, System For
Distributing Subscription and On-Demand Audio Programming, U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 08/279,243, filed Jul. 21, 1994; and N. Schulhof, J.
Janky, Apparatus For Distributing Subscription and On-Demand Audio
Programming, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/279,244, filed Jul. 21,
1994.
As shown in FIG. 1, the invention operates in a system that allows a
subscriber to:
Select audio program material from a remotely located library;
Make the selection when he wishes to;
Receive the material via a variety of communications means at a rate much
faster than real time, such that it is not necessary to wait very long to
receive the program material; and
Transport the stored program material to a vehicle or other location for
playback in a suitable mechanism;
Perform playback at any desired time.
Thus, the invention herein disclosed is particularly well suited for use in
a system that provides a very rich variety of program material via a
wide-band high speed information channel for storage on a subscription
and/or on-demand basis available from a much wider range of sources than
is currently feasible on cable to the subscriber, and for use when
desired. The invention is also intended for use in a system that transfers
selected program material over a high speed data link at a rate much
faster than real time.
The system 10 includes a library of program material 12, that contains a
plurality of audio program materials stored in a digital format. The
library may be implemented in any known digital storage technology, for
example as a plurality of digital storage media, such as ultra fast hard
drives. Program material may be introduced into the library from a variety
of sources (not shown) that may be delivered electronically over a variety
of data communications media at high speed from a plurality of locations,
for example via modem transfer from a distributor, such as the Wall St.
Journal.
It is anticipated that one important use of the invention is in conjunction
with a subscription service. For example, a daily newspaper, such as the
Wall St. Journal or the New York Times, may be transcribed each morning
into an audio version, that is then digitized and delivered to the
library. In this way, the library may provide daily delivery of a morning
newspaper in audio format that allows a subscriber to listen to the news
in a way that the news is not interrupted by commercial breaks and is not
truncated to fit into a tight broadcast schedule.
The program distribution system enables a subscriber to select desired
programs, and to be charged for the service. The program distribution
system includes a scheduling control module 22 that selects a series of
stored program materials from the library 12 via a telco order entry
module 20. The subscriber is billed for selected program materials by a
fulfillment and billing module 24. Program selection may be made over a
telephone line, as in shown in the prior art, or it may be made from the
customer/subscriber location 30 and/or a standard interactive cable
television converter 32. Orders placed by the subscriber are routed via a
cable television system, or from residential phone lines via the telco
order entry module 20.
The actual program material delivery system may be chosen to take advantage
of an existing regional infrastructure. The system is well suited for such
delivery means as cable television 16, interactive cable (34; FIG. 2),
pay-per-view (not shown), telephone (38; FIG. 2) or ISDN (36; FIG. 2), and
satellite distribution 18. Examples of such distribution vehicles, as well
as new and emerging forms of distribution are discussed in D. Deloddere,
W. Verbiest, H. Verhille, Interactive Video On Demand, IEEE Communications
(May 1994); R. Jones, Baseband and Passband Transport Systems for
Interactive Video Service, IEEE Communications (May 1994); and P. Baran,
Satellite Communications System and Apparatus, U.S. Pat. No. 4,455,651
(Jun. 19, 1984).
During data transmission, program materials are transferred from the
library at rates faster than those corresponding to real time playback
rates for delivery via a queuing and encryption module 14 to a series of
high speed data transmission systems, such as a satellite broadcast system
18. The broad band high speed data transmission system may also include a
local delivery module that is similar those that are currently used for
video program delivery to cable television head ends 16, except that in
the system herein the program material is subsequently delivered in
digital high speed format to an individual subscriber's home.
The transmission system routes the selected program material to the
subscriber's residence via any known means, such as a cable television
system 16, or the program material may be routed directly to the
subscriber via satellite broadcast 18, as discussed above. Once received
at the subscriber's residence, the standard cable television converter 32
routes the program material to a docking interface device 40.
Alternatively, the cable system may be coupled directly to the docking
interface device. The cable converter 32 and television set may then be
selectively coupled to the cable system via control circuitry in the
docking interface device 40.
FIG. 2 is a block level schematic diagram of a portable storage/playback
apparatus having a universal data interface according to the invention.
The invention herein resides in a portable program storage/playback system
44 that provides a specialized set of interrelated subsystems that
together capture the selected audio program material, store the program
material, and enable selective playback of the stored program material in
a mobile environment, such as an automobile. Once program materials are
stored on the storage medium 50, a playback system 52 permits the stored
program material to be played back in real time, for example over the
AM/FM radio in an automobile via a line output 54 or through a speaker or
pair of headphones 56.
More particularly, the system 44 comprises a digital data storage means,
such as a hard disk drive 50 that is in communication with a universal
communications interface 58 via an input data buffer 60. The universal
communications interface 58 may be connected to a plurality of data
sources, such as an ISDN telephone line 36, a digital satellite broadcast
system 18, a two-way interactive television cable 34, and an Internet or
other data source as may be supplied over standard telephones services 38.
Thus, data connections and sources to which the system is adapted include a
telco modem system connected via a standard telephone system to an
Internet access connection, either directly or through a personal
computer; a specialized data modem for use with a cable TV system; a
direct broadcast satellite digital television receiver system; a
specialized modem for use with the telephone system known as an ISDN data
link. Appropriate communications protocols are stored in a system memory
62, which may include a read only memory 61, flash memory 63, or other
memory, such as an upgrade memory 65, or the communications protocols may
be stored on the hard disk drive 50. Such protocols are accessed as
appropriate under control of a microprocessor 66.
The microprocessor 66 controls storage and data retrieval functions,
provides communications interface control to the high speed sending data
source, provides communications interface control to a bidirectional low
speed source, supervises order entry functions and order placement, and
controls digital to audio conversion functions for playing back an audio
program stored in a data file. The microprocessor 66 comprises a series of
standard microprocessor elements that store a series of executable
subroutines, for example in a read only memory 61, as discussed above.
The microprocessor 66 is connected to an interactive controller, such as a
keypad 67, that allows external control of the system by a user. The
microprocessor is also connected to an output system that includes an
audio output and conditioning module 52 that is operable to deliver audio
signals that are developed from data files stored on the hard disk drive,
or on other storage means.
Finally, the microprocessor is also connected to a built in telco modem 68.
The modem is used to make a direct connection to a telco-based order entry
system that accepts previously entered user requests from the keypad that
are stored in the system memory. It is expected that as modem speeds over
telephone lines increase, the modem can be used to retrieve the programs
ordered. In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, a second
modem is needed, which is not part of the system per se. The reason for a
separate order entry modem has to do with speed because order entry can be
low speed, but program transmission must be high speed if it is to be done
in a timely manner. Further, while it may be possible to obtain material
from more than one source, order entry is preferably performed by phone.
In an alternative embodiment of the input data buffer 60 is a PCMCIA-type
format card that includes either or both of the universal communications
interface 58 and the telco modem 68. Alternatively, an RF
receiver/demodulator, either hardwired or in a PCMCIA-type format, may be
used for wireless communication for either or both of program ordering and
program reception. As shown in FIG. 1, such wireless communication with
the system 44 may be with a local receiver 40 that is coupled to a cable
television or other such service. In this way, the system may be left on a
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